Tractor mounted cable laying device



Nov. 18, 1969 1.. o. KELLEY Re. 26,718

TRACTOR MOUNTED CABLE LAYING DEVICE Original Filed Aug. 8, 1960 4 e eet 1 LAW/V U. KELLEY IN VEN TOR.

Nov. 18, 1969 KELLEY Re. 26,718

TRACTOR MOUNTED CABLE LAYING DEVICE Original Filed Aug. 8, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 56W 0. KELLEY IN VEN TOR.

Nov. 18, 1969 o, KELLEY Re. 26,718

TRACTOR MOUNTED CABLE LAYING DEVICE Original Filed Aug. 8, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 [EU/V 0. AFLLEY INVENTOR.

2 H115 IZGE/VT Nov. 18 1969 L. o. KELLEY Re. 26,718

TRACTOR MOUNTED CABLE LAYING DEVICE Original Filed Aug. 8. 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 LEW/V [Z KELLEY 0o INVENTOR.

United States Patent 26,718 TRACTOR MOUNTED CABLE LAYING DEVICE Leon 0. Kelley, P.O. Box 488, Stamford, Tex. 79553 Original No. 3,170,300, dated Feb. 23, 1965, Ser. No.

48,271, Aug. 8, 1960, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 525,275, Jan. 3, 1966. Application for reissue Jan. 26, 1967, Ser. No. 617,433

Int. Cl. E02f 5/02; H02g 1/06; A01b 17/00 US. Cl. 6l--72.6 11 Claims Matter enclosed in heavy brackets appears in the original patent but forms no part of this reissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A device for laying cable or flexible conduit, which device is mounted on a traction element, and plows a furrow only slightly wider than the cable being laid, and directs the cable from a reel mounted on the tractor to a point rearward of the plow and directs the cable into the bottom of the furrow. The path of the plow being laterally movable with respect to the center 0 the path of the traction element, which enables cable to be laid in ofi-set relation with respect to the center of the line of travel traversed by the tractor.

This application is a continuation of my reissue application Ser. No. 525,275, Tractor Mounted Cable Laying Device, filed Jan. 3, 1966, and now abandoned, which upplicarion for reissue is a reissue application of Patent No. 3,170,300, Tractor Mounted Cable Laying Device, filed Aug. 8, 1960, and issued Feb. 23, 1965.

This invention relates to improvements in plows for laying cable and flexible conduit, and more particularly to a tractor mounted plow for laying cable and flexible conduit.

Various cable laying plows have been proposed heretofore, but these, for the most part, were connected in trailing relation to a traction element, or, if mounted on and connected directly to the traction element, usually lacked such flexibility of control of the plow element that it could not be moved from side to side as well as up and down, so that the cable might be laid [in] to the exact desired path.

The present device is so constructed that a tractor operator and a helper may readily lay hundreds of feet of cable per day, in an exact prescribed path and at the desired depth. The present cable laying attachment for a traction element is so constructed that it can lay cable or flexible conduit within a central path over which the traction element moves, or to either side thereof, thereby enabling the cable to be laid in close proximity to fences, walls or the like, where many other cable laying devices could not function.

An object of this invention is to provide a tractor mounted, cable laying attachment, which cable laying attachment is readily maneuverable to lay cable within a path over which the traction element moves, or to either side thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cable laying attachment for a tractor, which attachment may be manipulated by the operator to define a path independent of the path over which the tractor travels.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a traction element which will direct the cable or flexible conduit into a ditch formed by the plow of the cable laying attachment in such manner that the cable or flexible conduit will be placed thereinto without kinking or distortion [of the element being laid].

Reissuled Nov. 18, 1969 A further object of the invention is provide a cable laying attachment for a traction element which is hydraulically controlled so that the operator of the traction element may control the operation of the attachment simultaneously with the control of the operation of the traction element.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a cable laying attachment with a plow, the pull of which attachment is directed to the traction element at a point below the center of gravity, so as to maintain the traction element stable during the pulling of the plow through the earth.

With these objects in mind and others which will become manifest as the description proceeds, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate like parts in the several views thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cable laying attachment taken from a side and the rear thereof and of the traction element, showing the plow of the cable laying attachment in raised position;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, perspective view of the cable laying attachment taken from the rear and the side opposite that shown in FIG. 1, and showing the traction element in clashed outline, with parts of the plow being broken away and with parts being shortened to show the details of construction, with the plow of the attachment being shown in lowered position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary, perspective view taken from the top and a side, showing a portion of the framework on which the plow is mounted, the plow being removed therefrom, and with portions broken away and with portions shown in section to bring out the details of construction;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view of the framework, as shown in FIG. 3, showing the plow attached thereto, with the hingeably mounted cable laying tube supported thereon and showing portions of the hydraulic cylinders connected thereto;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, enlarged side elevational view of the lower portion of the cable laying tube, with parts broken away and with parts shown in section, and showing a cable positioned therein;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 6--6 of FIG. 4, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary top plan view of the framework and the draw bar portion of the cable and flexible conduit laying attachment for tractors, with a portion of the tractor being shown in dashed outline, with the frame and the cable laying plow being shown in full outline in one position, the dashed outline showing the frame and cable laying plow in another position;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the hydraulic system for controlling both the up and down movement of the cable laying attachment and the side to side movement of the plow thereof;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 99 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

FIG. 10 is a transverse sectional view of the hydraulic lifting jacks taken transversely through the pivot point thereof.

With more detailed reference to the drawing, the numeral 1 designates generally a tractor which is used as a traction element, which, in the present instance, is of the crawler or track laying type and upon which is mounted a cable laying attachment which is designated generally by the numeral 2. The cable laying attachment has an upright frame 4, which forms a first frame [attaches], which is attached to the rear of tractor 1 by means of bolts 6 and drawbars 8. The drawbars 8 extend forwardly of frame 4 and are attached to the lower side of the tractor in the manner illustrated in Patent No. 2,783,699 to C. O. Kelley, Ripper Flows, issued March 5, 1957. The upright frame 4 has rearwardly extending lugs thereon, each which lug is apertured to pivotally receive a pin 12 therethrough and through apertured cable laying plow support frame 14, which forms a second frame, to pivotally mount the frame 14 for movement about a horizontal axis. The second frame 14 is bifurcated, as is best seen in FIG. 7, and has a pair of upstanding, apertured ears 16 on the upper side of the respective bifurcated portions of said frame, [which pairs of cars are] each pair of which ears is adapted to receive [the respective ends of] an apertured end of connecting rod 18 of the respective hydraulic cylinders 20.

The hydraulic cylinders 20 are pivotally mounted on [upstanding] upright frame 4 and are so connected as to form jack means, so upon application of hydraulic pressure through conduits 22, the frame 14 may be pivoted about pivot pins 12 to raise frame 14, and when pressure is applied to conduits 24, the frame may be pivoted about pivot pins 12 to urge the frame 14 downward. The hydraulic cylinder 20, as best seen in FIG. 10, has a ring or support member 21 fixedly secured thereto intermediate the length thereof, which support member 21 has pins 21a extending outward therefrom and in axial alignment diametrically thereof, which pins are journaled in bearings 21b to enable pivotal movement of cylinder 20. Plates 21c and cap plate 26a retain the pins 21a and bearings 21b against lateral movement.

The frame 4 extends upward and has a cable rack 26 thereon, on which rack 26 a reel [of] 28 for cable or flexible conduit [28] may be supported. The shaft 29 of the reel 28 being positioned in a selected pair of the [notched elements] notches 30 of rack 26, as will be seen in FIGS.

1 and 2.

A third frame 32 is bifurcated and transversely apertured, so that the frame 32 will receive frame 14 within the bifurcations thereof, so that the transverse apertures in frame 32 will register with the upright aperture in frame 14, whereupon, a pin 34 may be passed through these apertures which are in register, to pivotally connect frame 32 with frame 14 so that the frame 32 will swing about the upright axis of pin 34, as will best be seen in FIG. 7. The rear portion of frame 14 is arcuate, as indicated at 36, so as to permit free swinging action of frame 32 thereabout. The frame 32 has an upright aperture formed therethrough in the rear portion thereof.

A transversely apertured, bifurcated plow beam or tool bar holding element 38, which constitutes a fourth frame, is straddled over the rear portion of frame 32 so that the apertures formed transversely within the lugs which form the bifurcated portions of the tool bar holding element 38 will register with the upright aperture in the rear portion of frame 32, whereupon, a pivot pin 42 is adapted to pass through the apertures in bifurcated tool bar holding element 38 and the aperture in the rear portion of frame 32 to form a pivotal action therebetween.

The frame 32 has outwardly extending lugs 44 on opposite sides thereof, which lugs are apertured near their outer ends to pivotally receive an apertured lug 46 of the respective hydraulic cylinders 48, so as to pivotally mount the hydraulic cylinders 48 with respect to the frame 32. A cylinder 48 is disposed on each opposite side of frame 32.

The tool bar holding element 38 has outwardly extending pairs of apertured lugs 50 on each side thereof, which respective pairs of lugs are adapted to receive the respective apertured ends of connecting rods 52 therebetween, so as to operatively connect the hydraulic cylinders 48 with tool bar holding element 38 to enable the pivotal movement thereof about the axis of pin 42. A tool bar or plow shank 58 is fitted within the vertical bifurcation 56 of the tool bar [holder] holding element ister with apertures 60 in frame 38, to enable pins or bolts 62 to be passed therethrough to hold the plow shank in fixed relation with respect to tool bar [holder] holding element 38. It is preferable to have the [tool bar] plow shank beveled to form a symmetrical cutting edge 64 on the forward side thereof, with a replaceable, symmetrical sharp edge member 66 on at least a portion of the forward edge thereof so as to form a ground cutting element. A removable, symmetrical plow share plow point or toe 68 is provided on the lower end of the tool bar or plow shank 58 which plow point 68 may be hard surfaced to resist wear.

With the plow shank 58 being symmetrically beveled, on each side of a vertical plane, as shown in FIG. 9, to form a symmetrical cutting edge, when in cutting position, as well as the replaceable, sharp, symmetrical edge member 66, and the removable plow share, plow point or toe, the plow shank and the cutting element thereon will open a furrow, when pulled, and the plow shank 58 will be caused to travel in the direction indicated by the plow point 68, which will cause the shank to act as a paravane.

A cable laying tube member 70 is hingeably mounted on the rear side of plow shank 58, which cable laying tube member has lugs 72 secured thereto which are adapted to be fitted within lugs 74, which lugs are apertured, and are adapted to receive a pin or bolt 76 through the respective sets of adjacent lugs, with the axis of all the pins or bolts 76 being common. In this manner the cable laying tube member 70 and the outwardly extending shoe 78 are free to pivot in such manner as to direct cable 80 into the furrow opened by plow shank 58 and plow point 68.

The shoe 78 is preferably provided with removable side plates, within which sheave rollers 82 are mounted, as will best be seen in FIG. 5, which sheave rollers are so positioned as to permit the cable 80, which is moving through the tube member 70, to pass arcuately by and below the sheaves 82 in such manner that the direction of the cable is transferred from an upright position to a substantially horizontal position, and in a position substantially behind the plow shank 58 at a point in approximately aligned relation with the lower face of plow shank 58, and, when being operated in the ground, will lay the cable within the furrow at the bottom thereof immediately following plow shank 58. The upper end of the cable tube member 70 preferably has four spaced apart sheave rollers 84 so positioned that the cable passing thereover will be directed into the tube member 70 with a minimum of friction.

The tool bar [holder] holding element 38 preferably has platform 86 secured thereon, as will best be seen in FIGS. 4 and 7, so that a helper may stand thereon to guide cable 80 off reel 28 into tube member 70, when it is desired to have a helper perform this operation, Hand rails 88 rise from platform 86 to provide hand holds for the helper.

The cylinders 48, one positioned on each side of frame 32, are pivoted to the frame 32 about vertical axes with the connecting rods 52, of the respective cylinders, extending rearward, which connecting rods pivotally connect to tool bar holding element 38 in such manner that, upon application of hydraulic pressure to one end of one of the cylinders 48, and to the opposite end of the other of the cylinders 48, the tool bar [holder] holding element 38 will be pivotally moved about the axis of pin 42, as will best be seen in FIG. 7, and since this will have a tendency to change the direction of point 68 on tool bar holding element 38, the plow shank 58 will be caused to travel in the direction indicated by the plow point 68, and by maintaining the hydraulic cylinders 48 in desired position, a furrow can be opened by the plow shank 58 in such manner that the direction and location of the furrow made by the plow [beam] shank is independent of the line of travel of the tractor 1, within the limits of 38, so that certain apertures 54 in plow shank 58 will regmovement of frame 32, In this manner, a furrow can b opened directly behind the traction element or to either side of the center line thereof, by manipulation of hydraulic control valve 92. The [plow shanks 58 may vary in length] length of the plow shank 58 may vary, depending upon the depth at which the cable is to be laid, and which [shanks] shank may be of such length as to bury the cable to a depth of four feet or more, when necessity demands such depth.

The raising and lowering of frame 14, frame 32, tool bar [holder] holding element 38, plow shank 58, and cable laying tube member 70 which is hingably attached thereto, is accomplished by the manipulation of valve 90 to actuate hydraulic cylinders 20 which will move connecting rods 18 in and out to raise or lower the frame 14. [Since the] The operation of the [valve 90 is] valves 90 and 92 is controlled from the drivers seat of tractor 1 by the manipulation of this hydraulic valve 90, the]. Manipulation of the hydraulic valves 90 and 92 will control the depth and the lateral movement of frame 32 [is also controlled. By the manipulation of a hydraulic valve 92], as will best be seen diagrammatically in FIG. 8, the depth and the lateral positioning of the cable being laid may be accurately controlled.

The hydraulic system is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 8, wherein a reservoir 94 is provided for the hydraulic fluid with a conduit 96 leading therefrom to the inlet side of pump 98 and a discharge line 100 leads from pump 98 into conduit 102 which conduit leads to valves 90 and 92. A return conduit 104 returns the hydraulic fluid from valves 90 and 92 to the hydraulic reservoir 94. However, a branch conduit 106 interconnects conduits 100 and 104, and has a relief valve 108 therein, so upon stoppage of flow of hydraulic fluid through valves 90 and 92 hydraulic fluid will be by-passed through conduit 106 and relief valve 108 back into conduit 104 leading to reservoir 94, so as to prevent damage to the conduit or to the operating elements.

The valve 90 is provided with a three-position selector lever 110, which, when moved to one position, will hold the hydraulic fluid against movement in either direction. However, upon shifting the lever 110 into the position, as indicated in dashed outline in FIG. 8, the hydraulic fluid will be directed from conduit 102 into conduit 22, which will move connecting rods 18 of hydraulic cylinders 20 inward, with the expelled hydraulic fluid passing out through conduits 24 into valve 90 and thence into return conduit 104 to [and] reservoir 94. However, upon moving the selector lever 110 of hydraulic valve 90 into the opposite position, as indicated by oppositely positioned dashed outline, the reverse flow in [hydraulic lines] canduits 24 and 22 will be initiated, which will move [plungers 18] connecting rods 18 outward. However, the hydraulic cylinders 20 and valve 90 are of the construction that the hydraulic cylinders may be held at any set position.

Hydraulic cylinders 48 are arranged on opposite sides of frame 32, and are so interconnected with hydraulic conduits 112 and 114 that hydraulic fluid will be directed into one end, or the connecting rod end of one cylinder, and into the opposed end of the other cylinder, so that equal but inverse movement of the connecting rod of the other cylinder is had, This is accomplished by connecting conduit 112 leading from valve 92 to one end of one of the hydraulic cylinders 48 and to.the opposite end of the other hydraulic cylinder 48, with the respective ends being reckoned with respect to the connecting rods 52 and the conduit 114 connected in opposed or cross-over relation with respect to the conduit 112. In this manner, by manipulation of the selector lever 116 of valve 92 to one of the dashed outline positions shown in FIG. 8, the connecting rods of the hydraulic cylinders will be moved into one of the positions, as shown in FIG. 7, and by moving the valve [actuator] selector lever 116 to the opposite dashed outline position, as shown in FIG. 8, the connecting rod 52 of the hydraulic cylinder 48 will be moved into the opposite position as shown in FIG. 7, and indicated in full lines in the alternate position. In this manner the path of the plow point 68 of the plow on plow shank 58 can be controlled.

By having the frames 32 and 38, and the cable laying tube pivotally mounted for pivotal movement about their respective upright axes, the operation of the device is more flexible and makes possible the laying of cable or flexible conduit into a ditch formed by the plow shank 58 along a defined path, which path is not necessarily limited to the actual path of a naturally trailed plow. The present arrangement is particularly adapted to opening a ditch and laying a cable therein in close proximity to a wall or fence, which will render the cable or conduit less vulnerable to being cut by earth working machines which are frequently used on highways and streets, where such cable and/or conduit is most frequently laid. In addition to laying multi-strand communication cable, the present device is also adapted to laying flexible conduit, such as conduit made of resinous plastics, rubber or the like.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in some detail in one embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that changes may be made in the minor details of construction and adaptations made to different cable or conduit laying jobs without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus fully shown and described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device for laying cable, flexible conduit, and the like in combination with a traction element, which cable lying device comprises, a first frame rigidly mounted on said traction element and extending upwardly along the rear portion thereof, rearwardly extending, apertured lugs on the lower portion of said first frame, an apertured second frame pivotally mounted to said lugs on said first frame to move about a horizontal axis, fluid actuated jack means pivotally connected to said first frame and to said second frame so fluid pressure within said jack means will impart relative movement therebetween, a third frame pivotally mounted to said second frame and extending rearwardly therefrom for relative swinging movement about an upright axis between said second frame and said third frame, a fourth frame pivotally connected to the rear of said third frame for pivotal movement about an upright axis, at least one apertured lug extending horizontally outward on each opposite side of said third frame and at least one lug extending horizontally outward on each side of said fourth frame, a fluid actuated cylinder pivotally connected between ends of said apertured lugs on each side of said third frame and said fourth frame, pump means mounted on said traction element to supply fluid pressure to one end of one cylinder and to the opposite end of the other cylinder, simultaneously, conduit means for directing fluid from the other end of the respective cylinders, a plow [beam] shank adjustably connected to said fourth frame and having the lower end thereof extending downward therebelow, hinge members mounted on the rear side of said plow shank, a plow mounted on the lower end of said plow shank for engagement into the ground, a tube member, hinge members on said tube member, which hinge members on said tube member are complementary to the hinge members on said plow shank, pivot means pivotally connecting said complementary hinge members for pivotal movement of said tube member about an upright axis.

2. A device for laying cable, flexible conduit, and the like, in combination with a traction element, as defined in claim 1', wherein said fourth frame has a horizontal flat upper surface which forms a horizontal platform, said fourth frame having a bifurcation formed medially of said horizontal platform at the rear portion thereof, said plow shank extending through said horizontal platform, said bifurcation being of a width to permit free, un-

impeded swinging movement of said tube member about the pivot of said hinge members.

3. A device for laying cable, flexible conduit, and the like, in combination with a traction element; which cable laying device comprises a first frame rigidly mounted on said traction element and extending upwardly along the rear portion thereof, rearwardly extending, apertured lugs on the lower portion of said first frame, an apertured second frame pivotally mounted on said lugs on said first frame to move about a horizontal axis, fluid actuated jack means pivotally connected to said first frame and to said second frame so fluid pressure within said jack means will impart relative movement therebetween, a third frame pivotally mounted on said second frame and extending rearwardly therefrom for relative swinging movement about an upright axis between said second frame and said third frame, a fourth frame pivotally connected to the rear of said third frame for pivotal movement about an upright axis, an apertured lug extending horizontally outward from a side of third frame, a lug extending horizontally outward on the same side of said fourth frame, a double acting, fluid actuated cylinder extending between said apertured lug on said third frame and said lug on said fourth frame and being pivotally connected thereto, a pump means mounted on said traction element to supply fluid pressure selectively to opposite ends of said fluid actuated cylinder, conduit means connected to the respective ends of said double acting, fluid actuated cylinder to selectively direct fluid under pressure thereto and therefrom, a plow shank adjustably connected to said fourth frame and having the lower end thereof extending downward therebelow, a plow mounted on the lower end of said plow shank for engagement into the ground, hinge members mounted on the rear side of said plow [beam] shank, a tube member extending downwardly along the rear side of said plow shank to a point near the lower end thereof and being hingcably connected to said plow shank.

4. A device for laying cable, flexible conduit and the like in combination with a traction element, which cable laying device comprises; a first frame rigidly mounted on said traction element and extending upwardly along the rear portion thereof, rearwardly extending, apertured lugs on the lower portion of said first frame, an apertured second frame pivotally mounted on said lugs on said first frame to move about a horizontal axis, fluid actuated iack means pivotally connected to said first frame and to said second frame so fluid pressure within said jack means will impart relative movement therebetween, a third frame pivotally mounted on said second frame and extending rearwardly therefrom for relative swinging movement about an upright axis between said second frame and said third frame, a fourth frame pivotally connected to the rear of said third frame for pivotal movement about an upright axis, at least one apertured lug extending horizontally outward on each opposite side of said third frame, and at least one lug extending horizontally outward on each side of said fourth frame, a fluid actuated cylinder pivotally connected between ends of said apertured lugs on said third frame and said fourth frame on each side thereof, pump means mounted on the traction element to supply fluid pressure to one end of one of said cylinders and to the opposite end of the other of said cylinders, simultaneously, conduit means for directing fluid from the other end of the respective cylinders, a plow shank adjustably connected to said fourth frame and having the lower end thereof extending downward therebelow[.] and a plow point on said plow shank, which has an earth dividing cutting edge, which is substantially symmetrical, on each side of a vertical plane.

5. A device for laying cable, flexible conduit and the like, which device comprises;

(a) a first upright frame secured to the rear end of a traction element,

(b) a second frame pivotally connected to said first upright frame for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis,

(c) a third frame pivoted about an upright axis to said second frame,

(d) a fourth frame pivoted about an upright axis to said third frame,

(e) a plow shank mounted on the fourth frame and extending downward therefrom,

(I a symmetrically formed ground engaging element, having a sharp cutting edge, on the forward side of said plow shank near the lower end thereof,

(f) a tube member pivotally mounted about an upright axis on the rear side of said plow shank for free swinging movement relative thereto, which tube extends along a substantial length of said plow shank and has an opening formed in the lower end thereof and facing in a rearward direction,

(3) fluid actuated power means associated with said first upright frame and with said second frame to selectively pivot said second frame and the frames connected thereto about a horizontal axis, and

(h) further fluid actuated power means connected between said third frame and said fourth frame to move said fourth frame relative to said third frame, so upon movement of the traction element in a forward direction over the terrain, when the plow shank is engaged in the earth, said plow shank will poravane in a course in aligned relation with the path of movement of the traction element.

6. A device for laying cable, flexible conduit and the like, as defined in claim 5; wherein (a) said fluid actuated power means, which is connected between said first upright frame and said second frame to selectively pivot said second frame and the frames connected thereto about a horizontal axis, is a pair of hydraulic cylinders, one of which cylinders is positioned on each of two opposed sides of said first upright frame and said second frame, and

(b) said further fluid actuated power means, which is connected between said third frame and said fourth frame to pivot said fourth frame about said upright axis therebetween, is a pair of hydraulic cylinders.

7. In a device for laying cable, flexible conduit and the like, the combination of;

(a) a supporting frame mounted on the rear of a traction element,

(b) a plurality of pivotally connected frames,

(1) the first frame of said plurality of pivotally connected frames, which is adjacent said supporting frame, being pivotally connected to said supporting frame to extend rearwardly therefrom for movement about a horizontal axis,

(2) upright pivot means forming upright axes to pivot at least two adjacent frames of said plurality of frames which extend rearwardly from said horizontally pivoted frame in substantially end to end relation with respect to each other and with respect to said horizontally pivoted frame,

(c) fluid actuated cylinder means connected with said supporting frame and with said first frame of said plurality of said pivotally connected frames which is adjacent said supporting frame, for pivotal movement of said plurality of pivotally connected frames about said horizontal axis,

(d) a further fluid actuated cylinder means interconnecting two adjacent frames for pivotal movement of said frames relative to each other about one of said upright axes,

(I) said further fluid actuated cylinder means being remote from said first frame of said plurality of pivotally connected frame for movement about a horizontal axis, to said support frame,

(e) a plow shank secured to the rearmost frame of said plurality of pivotally connected frames,

(1) a ground engaging element near the lower end of said plow shank, which ground engaging element is symmetrically formed, with the forward edge thereof forming a sharp cutting edge,

(2) said plow shank adapted to paravane in a course in aligned relation with the path of movemerlt of the traction element, and

(f) a tube member pivotally mounted to swing about an upright axis on the rear of said plow shank for free swinging movement with respect thereto, which tube extends downwardly therealong to a point near the lower end thereof for directing cable or the like rearwardly therefrom.

8. A device for laying cable, flexible conduit and the like, as defined in claim 7; wherein (a) said fluid actuated cylinder means, which interconnects said supporting frame and a first frame of said plurality of pivotally connected frames for movement about a horizontal axis, are hydraulic cylinders, one mounted near each outer side of said support frame, which cylinders connect with said adjacent first frame in operative relation, and

(b) said further fluid actuated cylinder means being two hydraulic cylinders, one said hydraulic cylinder being on each side of said two adjacent frames, which frames are pivoted about upright pivot means, a portion of each hydraulic cylinder being connected on opposite sides of one of the two adjacent frames, a spaced distance from one said upright pivot means, the other portion of each said hydraulic cylinder being connected to the other of the adjacent frames on the opposite sides thereof so said hydraulic cylinders will be in abridging relation on opposite sides of said pivot means, so upon extension on one said hydraulic cylinder and the contraction of the other of said hydraulic cylinders, one of said frames will be moved relative to the other of said frames about said upright pivot means.

9. A device for laying cable, flexible conduit and the like, as defined in claim 6; wherein (a) said fluid actuated cylinder means, which interconnects said supporting frame and the first frame of said plurality of said pivotally connected frames which is adjacent said supporting frame, is at least one double acting hydraulic cylinder, and

(b) said further fluid actuated cylinder means which interconnects said two adjacent frames of said plu rality of pivotally connected frames relative to each other about said upright axes, is at least one double acting hydraulic cylinder.

10. A cable laying plow comprising a plow share having an earth dividing point substantially symmetrical on each side of a vertical plane; a draw bar; a pivot having a vertical axis connecting said plow share to said draw bar, a second freely turnable pivot having a vertical axis for connecting the opposite end of said draw bar to a tractor,- and means operable during forward motion of the plow to vary the angular relationship between said vertical plane of said plow share and a vertical plane which includes both pivotal axes of said draw bar.

11. A method of plowing a cable laying furrow offset to one side of a tractor having a draft hitch for pulling a plow, which plow has a draft arm portion and a furrow forming portion which is symmetrical on its opposite sides comprising: causing said furrow forming portion to act as a paravane in the ground to steer the plow on a course parallel to but offset laterally from that of said draft hitch by providing a freely horizontal swinging relationship between the forward end of the draft arm portion and the draft hitch and turning said furrow forming portion at an angle to said draft arm portion.

References Cited The following references, cited by the Examiner, are of record in the patented file of this patent or the original patent.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1956 Germany.

1879 Great Britain.

OTHER REFERENCES John Deere publication, OM-K57-1258, December 1958, pp. 2, 4, s and 12.

JACOB SHAPIRO, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 172-292, 464, 742 

